Laura's Guidebook
Faves - I’m probably there right now.
More than a wine shop, a welcoming happening spot for a glass or a (very generously poured) flight. Right around the corner. Focused on biodynamic wines from small producers without being stuffy about it. Great selection of really good wines under $16.00 in the center of the shop. And you can bring your tacos there! See Tacos Oscar.
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OAKLAND YARD Wine Shop
420 40th StMore than a wine shop, a welcoming happening spot for a glass or a (very generously poured) flight. Right around the corner. Focused on biodynamic wines from small producers without being stuffy about it. Great selection of really good wines under $16.00 in the center of the shop. And you can bring your tacos there! See Tacos Oscar.
Perfect restaurant. Ambiance, food, bar, all lovely. Quiet but with a happy buzz. Date night, sitting single at the bar, family dinner...all good here. Stellar wine list. The best mussels and frites and the happy hour deal on them is a winner.
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À Côté Restaurant
5478 College AvePerfect restaurant. Ambiance, food, bar, all lovely. Quiet but with a happy buzz. Date night, sitting single at the bar, family dinner...all good here. Stellar wine list. The best mussels and frites and the happy hour deal on them is a winner.
This tricked out shipping container is an inspired taco spot, Bon Apetit short listed for best new restaurant. Hand made tortillas to order. Always vegan on the changing seasonal menu. Great patio and parklet. The whole place has verve. The fried egg taco is perfection. But it’s the tortillas. The best. Pro tip: on cold or rainy nights, order to go and take tacos down to Oakland Yard Wine Shop.
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Tacos Oscar
420 40th StThis tricked out shipping container is an inspired taco spot, Bon Apetit short listed for best new restaurant. Hand made tortillas to order. Always vegan on the changing seasonal menu. Great patio and parklet. The whole place has verve. The fried egg taco is perfection. But it’s the tortillas. The best. Pro tip: on cold or rainy nights, order to go and take tacos down to Oakland Yard Wine Shop.
A beautiful experience with food and wine. Seasonal, well thought out, each ingredient intentional, food that has finesse, yet is approachable, experimental, highly personal from a chef with an amazing background. Like an elevated chef owned tapas bar you’d find in Spain. I’m obsessed! Wait is long so we pre-game at North Light. See below. 👇🏻
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Snail Bar
4935 Shattuck AvenueA beautiful experience with food and wine. Seasonal, well thought out, each ingredient intentional, food that has finesse, yet is approachable, experimental, highly personal from a chef with an amazing background. Like an elevated chef owned tapas bar you’d find in Spain. I’m obsessed! Wait is long so we pre-game at North Light. See below. 👇🏻
Back patio. Super great drinks and bar bites. My fave for early Friday happy hour.
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North Light
4915 Telegraph AveBack patio. Super great drinks and bar bites. My fave for early Friday happy hour.
An institution and a wonderful restaurant that was an early and integral part of the Temescal food scene. Everything here is good; fresh in season organic local ingredients on a changing menu, great patio, home made tonics for their cocktails, everything intentional. Best pizza within walking distance if you like the wood fired Neapolitan style. They also sell provisions including delicious bread from the wood oven. In their words “a love letter to Northern California.”
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Pizzaiolo
5008 Telegraph AveAn institution and a wonderful restaurant that was an early and integral part of the Temescal food scene. Everything here is good; fresh in season organic local ingredients on a changing menu, great patio, home made tonics for their cocktails, everything intentional. Best pizza within walking distance if you like the wood fired Neapolitan style. They also sell provisions including delicious bread from the wood oven. In their words “a love letter to Northern California.”
Just fantastic. The vibe, the drinks, the food, the decor. I highly recommend the brunch, especially if you are in the mood for a boozy one.
Sobre Mesa
1618 Franklin StreetJust fantastic. The vibe, the drinks, the food, the decor. I highly recommend the brunch, especially if you are in the mood for a boozy one.
An institution. Jazz in a supper club vibe (sushi!). The best artists make a stop at Yoshi’s. It’s swinging.
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Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero WestAn institution. Jazz in a supper club vibe (sushi!). The best artists make a stop at Yoshi’s. It’s swinging.
Outdoor private hot tubs, fiberglass but wrapped in redwood. Not fancy. Kind of a throwback in a good way. Soak those bad vibes away. Always booked up in advance on the weekends.
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Piedmont Springs
3939 Piedmont AveOutdoor private hot tubs, fiberglass but wrapped in redwood. Not fancy. Kind of a throwback in a good way. Soak those bad vibes away. Always booked up in advance on the weekends.
💸 But you won’t regret it. Best collection of contemporary edgy artisan jewelry anywhere.
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Esqueleto
482 49th St💸 But you won’t regret it. Best collection of contemporary edgy artisan jewelry anywhere.
Daytrip is one of our new faves. Food that is bright, alive, interesting and just craveable. Do not miss the celery salad or miso butter pasta, or anything, really. Small focused menu, beautiful wines that have been selected for their food, easy charming service. One of Bon Appétit’s 10 best new restaurants of 2022. And right around the corner!
DAYTRIP
Daytrip is one of our new faves. Food that is bright, alive, interesting and just craveable. Do not miss the celery salad or miso butter pasta, or anything, really. Small focused menu, beautiful wines that have been selected for their food, easy charming service. One of Bon Appétit’s 10 best new restaurants of 2022. And right around the corner!
Food scene
Just really good. Don’t miss the Wicked Buns. Service is lovely.
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Co Nam
1653 Polk StJust really good. Don’t miss the Wicked Buns. Service is lovely.
Amazing Fried Chicken sandwiches eaten on an ironing board. If you are there before 11:30, you might miss the line. And hella good baked goods as well. A Temescal institution.
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Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph AveAmazing Fried Chicken sandwiches eaten on an ironing board. If you are there before 11:30, you might miss the line. And hella good baked goods as well. A Temescal institution.
James Woodard catered our wedding before he got this spot, after I spotted his smoker at a festival, so we believe! So good. Authentic. Sides are bomb. Brisket is beyond. Giant smoker in the back parking lot let’s you know it’s for real. Fun cocktails, casual sports bar vibe.
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Smokin Woods BBQ Cafe
4307 Telegraph AveJames Woodard catered our wedding before he got this spot, after I spotted his smoker at a festival, so we believe! So good. Authentic. Sides are bomb. Brisket is beyond. Giant smoker in the back parking lot let’s you know it’s for real. Fun cocktails, casual sports bar vibe.
Not in the news. But an absolutely perfect little Italian restaurant, like a small spot you would stumble into in Italy when the recommended spot was closed. Beautiful pastas and wine. Quiet. A gem. Not sure if this is meaningful, but also very good looking waiters.
Enoteca Molinari
5474 College AveNot in the news. But an absolutely perfect little Italian restaurant, like a small spot you would stumble into in Italy when the recommended spot was closed. Beautiful pastas and wine. Quiet. A gem. Not sure if this is meaningful, but also very good looking waiters.
Always a line. Tiny. Almost as many people working here as they can seat. Fresh sushi for ridiculously approachable prices. Not at all fancy. Order from the notes tacked to the wall.
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Geta Japanese Restaurant
165 41st StAlways a line. Tiny. Almost as many people working here as they can seat. Fresh sushi for ridiculously approachable prices. Not at all fancy. Order from the notes tacked to the wall.
Super good Burmese. The baby kale tea leaf salad sounds like a post hipster joke, until you try it, and come back for more.
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Teni East Kitchen
4015 BroadwaySuper good Burmese. The baby kale tea leaf salad sounds like a post hipster joke, until you try it, and come back for more.
Chef Smelly. Google him. Follow him on Instagram, @chefsmelly. Garlic noodles, seafood, he’s an inspiration. Voted best East Bay chef a couple of years back and he didn’t even have a restaurant. But there was always a line. Now that he is at Au it’s easier to get a spot. Pay no attention to the photos above. Pro-tip: portions are huge. Splitting an order might make you look weak to the chef, but that’s what we do.
AU Lounge
2430 BroadwayChef Smelly. Google him. Follow him on Instagram, @chefsmelly. Garlic noodles, seafood, he’s an inspiration. Voted best East Bay chef a couple of years back and he didn’t even have a restaurant. But there was always a line. Now that he is at Au it’s easier to get a spot. Pay no attention to the photos above. Pro-tip: portions are huge. Splitting an order might make you look weak to the chef, but that’s what we do.
Utterly sublime. Elegant beautiful restaurant with gorgeous food. Oh - and vegan.
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Millennium
5912 College AveUtterly sublime. Elegant beautiful restaurant with gorgeous food. Oh - and vegan.
A double mention (see breakfast). Not just for beignets. A SF institution now open a few blocks away. Po’boys, Fried Chicken, sides. Super good. Usually a line - order at counter. Outdoor patio, or bring it home!
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Brenda's
4045 BroadwayA double mention (see breakfast). Not just for beignets. A SF institution now open a few blocks away. Po’boys, Fried Chicken, sides. Super good. Usually a line - order at counter. Outdoor patio, or bring it home!
Produce! Crazy! Aisles and aisles with insane level of varieties. Who knew there were 15 types of oranges, or potatoes, or eggplant? A must for anyone visiting from out of state. Seafood selection fresh and huge. Cheese area as big as the apartment. Prices reasonable.
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Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon StProduce! Crazy! Aisles and aisles with insane level of varieties. Who knew there were 15 types of oranges, or potatoes, or eggplant? A must for anyone visiting from out of state. Seafood selection fresh and huge. Cheese area as big as the apartment. Prices reasonable.
Breakfast
Been an Oakland b’fast institution for decades. Not fancy. Lines. Bill Russell has been spotted here.
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Mama's Royal Cafe
4012 BroadwayBeen an Oakland b’fast institution for decades. Not fancy. Lines. Bill Russell has been spotted here.
Wise Son’s make their bagels and they get it right, boiled then baked. The egg dishes, and sandwiches are so so good.
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Beauty's Bagel Shop
3838 Telegraph AveWise Son’s make their bagels and they get it right, boiled then baked. The egg dishes, and sandwiches are so so good.
Shrimp and grits and roof top patio with a bumping scene. Anytime is the right time for Oeste.
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Oeste - Bar
722 Clay StShrimp and grits and roof top patio with a bumping scene. Anytime is the right time for Oeste.
Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StThose waffles.
Brenda's
4045 BroadwayBeignets. Ok? 3 blocks away are hot beignets.
A newer spot and has edged out Beauty’s Bagels for my fave spot for bagels. Usually a line on the weekend, really yummy cream cheese flavors. Boiled and baked of course, they get it right!
Poppy Bagels
A newer spot and has edged out Beauty’s Bagels for my fave spot for bagels. Usually a line on the weekend, really yummy cream cheese flavors. Boiled and baked of course, they get it right!
Cafés
Burlap Coffee
511 40th StRecommended by a guest - good coffee, lots of outlets, chill vibe.
Coffee mecca. Pristine. Everything stellar. Obsessed with the sweet waffle they hand you wrapped in a coffee filter. All of the bites are good here.
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Blue Bottle Coffee
300 Webster StCoffee mecca. Pristine. Everything stellar. Obsessed with the sweet waffle they hand you wrapped in a coffee filter. All of the bites are good here.
The name is enough to get me there. Cozy. Yummy. Amazing coffee and chocolate goodies and drinks.
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The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery
5427 College AveThe name is enough to get me there. Cozy. Yummy. Amazing coffee and chocolate goodies and drinks.
Great little outdoor patio, wonderful coffee, drinks, and small bites. 3 blocks from home. They also have their own blends. Fun welcoming vibe. Also a bar, so this is a good bet for a boozy coffee drink. Also listed in fave bars with a drink recommendation.
Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar
Great little outdoor patio, wonderful coffee, drinks, and small bites. 3 blocks from home. They also have their own blends. Fun welcoming vibe. Also a bar, so this is a good bet for a boozy coffee drink. Also listed in fave bars with a drink recommendation.
Fave bars
Hi Fidelity LP listening bar in a MCM Japanese Industrial setting. Stylish, quiet, and intimate. Focus on whiskey and really creative cocktails.
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Bar Shiru
1611 Telegraph AveHi Fidelity LP listening bar in a MCM Japanese Industrial setting. Stylish, quiet, and intimate. Focus on whiskey and really creative cocktails.
Roof top patio and a bumping scene. Anytime is the right time for Oeste.
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Oeste - Bar
722 Clay StRoof top patio and a bumping scene. Anytime is the right time for Oeste.
Swanky fun. Live music. Mid-century vibes all the way.
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Bardo Lounge & Supper Club
3343 Lakeshore AveSwanky fun. Live music. Mid-century vibes all the way.
Bar Cesar
4039 Piedmont AveStrong drinks, small plates, a great happy hour.
No one orders coffee here. Not a cafe. If a guy was collecting a lot of random stuff and dropped a lot of acid, then perfected a Greyhound by fresh squeezing grapefruit juice to order, and then opened a dive bar several decades ago - that’s Cafe Van Kleef. Owner was a legendary figure, bar carries on in his memory. Giant bouncers. Try and get there before or after the music starts. Always a terrible band. In a town of great musicians. Must be part of the mystique. Not to be missed. Seriously, order a Greyhound.
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Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph AveNo one orders coffee here. Not a cafe. If a guy was collecting a lot of random stuff and dropped a lot of acid, then perfected a Greyhound by fresh squeezing grapefruit juice to order, and then opened a dive bar several decades ago - that’s Cafe Van Kleef. Owner was a legendary figure, bar carries on in his memory. Giant bouncers. Try and get there before or after the music starts. Always a terrible band. In a town of great musicians. Must be part of the mystique. Not to be missed. Seriously, order a Greyhound.
Motown Mondays! Get your week started by dancing to the beat - downtown. Follow #momoak on Insta for the DJ lineup. Also Urbano Sundays - 1st Sunday of the month, daytime Latin dance party.
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Hello Stranger
1724 BroadwayMotown Mondays! Get your week started by dancing to the beat - downtown. Follow #momoak on Insta for the DJ lineup. Also Urbano Sundays - 1st Sunday of the month, daytime Latin dance party.
This is the little bar that could. Opened a few days before the shut down, pivoted to drinks to go and now this delightful inclusive place with amazing drinks was named one of the top 50 bars in the world. Nestled into the gallery district in Uptown, this place is pure happiness. Besides drinks there are bites and snacks, and if you’re lucky, cake!
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Friends & Family
468 25th StreetThis is the little bar that could. Opened a few days before the shut down, pivoted to drinks to go and now this delightful inclusive place with amazing drinks was named one of the top 50 bars in the world. Nestled into the gallery district in Uptown, this place is pure happiness. Besides drinks there are bites and snacks, and if you’re lucky, cake!
Great little outdoor patio, wonderful drinks and small bites. 3 blocks from home. Fun welcoming vibe. Highly recommend the martini with the smoked trout toast. Kind of a perfect bite. Also listed in cafes!
Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar
Great little outdoor patio, wonderful drinks and small bites. 3 blocks from home. Fun welcoming vibe. Highly recommend the martini with the smoked trout toast. Kind of a perfect bite. Also listed in cafes!
Brewery and beer gardens
Patio! Great beers! Bring the kids and dogs. Super chill spot. The watermelon salad an unexpected treat! Slices good too.
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Arthur Mac's Tap and Snack
4006 Martin Luther King Jr WayPatio! Great beers! Bring the kids and dogs. Super chill spot. The watermelon salad an unexpected treat! Slices good too.
Fun, great beers, sometimes live music, outdoor seating.
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Woods Bar & Brewery
1701 Telegraph AveFun, great beers, sometimes live music, outdoor seating.
Their own fresh brews, food trucks and pop-ups, patio. Their motto is “fresh beer no jerks”.
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Temescal Brewing
4115 Telegraph AveTheir own fresh brews, food trucks and pop-ups, patio. Their motto is “fresh beer no jerks”.
Drake's Dealership
2325 BroadwayFire pits and amazing brew and flatbread.
Culture
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison StPlan ahead and get some tickets.
Small theater featuring up and coming playwrights.
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Aurora Theatre Company
2081 Addison StSmall theater featuring up and coming playwrights.
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2155 Center StA gem of a museum.
Performing Artists from all over the world get booked here. Stellar.
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Cal Performances
101 Zellerbach HallPerforming Artists from all over the world get booked here. Stellar.
A treasure! Really terrific programming featuring interesting composers and guest musicians. And the performances are in the beautiful historic Paramount Theater in downtown Oakland.
Oakland Symphony
1440 BroadwayA treasure! Really terrific programming featuring interesting composers and guest musicians. And the performances are in the beautiful historic Paramount Theater in downtown Oakland.
Local treasure. Focusing on California. Special exhibits have featured Dia de Los Muertos, Ray and Charles Eames, and the Art of Burning Man. Check out the Friday Nights at the Museum events. Outdoor maze like sculpture garden is great and open to the public for no fee.
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Օկլանդի կալիֆորնիայի թանգարան
1000 Oak StLocal treasure. Focusing on California. Special exhibits have featured Dia de Los Muertos, Ray and Charles Eames, and the Art of Burning Man. Check out the Friday Nights at the Museum events. Outdoor maze like sculpture garden is great and open to the public for no fee.
Explore the cool little art district in Uptown. First Friday is wild, a total scene, food trucks, live music, etc. Saturday Stroll is when you can actually get a foot into the galleries to enjoy the art. Follow @oaklandartmurmur
Oakland Art Murmur
416 26th StExplore the cool little art district in Uptown. First Friday is wild, a total scene, food trucks, live music, etc. Saturday Stroll is when you can actually get a foot into the galleries to enjoy the art. Follow @oaklandartmurmur
An observatory! In Oakland. Cool exhibits and a planetarium. The laser light shows are hella popular.
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Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline BlvdAn observatory! In Oakland. Cool exhibits and a planetarium. The laser light shows are hella popular.
World class and fun science museum with a spectacular view. An East Bay treasure.
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Lawrence Hall of Science
World class and fun science museum with a spectacular view. An East Bay treasure.
Fun night of stand up! Food and drinks are pretty good at the venue, The Washington Inn. No drink minimum, easy ticket prices.
Comedy Oakland
495 10th StFun night of stand up! Food and drinks are pretty good at the venue, The Washington Inn. No drink minimum, easy ticket prices.